Just to add my tuppence-worth…
Firstly,G-BOAD on the Intrepid.IMHO,the aircraft should never have been put there,anyone with any knowledge of aircraft preservation could only have suggested that location as a joke.About the only thing dafter they could’ve done with it was dangle it off the arm of the Statue of Liberty.The only way I can see the aircraft surviving in anything like the long term is if they ferry it back to JFK on a regular basis for conservation work. As for the ‘glass-house’ idea,I don’t think it would do her much good,and might even make things worse.I’d imagine the heat inside would be tremendous on a sunny day,particularly if it’s not air conditioned,not to mentioned the humidity. The only way this aircraft can be preserved in NY is to stick it in an air-conditioned building,which would de-salinate the air as well as keeping out the elements. What chance there is of that,who knows,but it doesn’t seem likely somehow. IMHO,it’s a case of bye-bye BOAD…
As for BOAA,I agree to some extent that chopping her up and carting her off to EF was a sad episode.My parents’ place is only 2mins from where she was loaded onto a barge,so I went to see it being done.Although the event attracted quite a crowd,I still felt it was sad to see her dismembered like that and my mind still boggles at the expense.That said,EF now have a major crowd puller,so there is something of a happy ending to her story.
One museum that I felt really should have had a Concorde was the Science Museum.I know they already have Concorde 002 at Yeovilton,but the prototypes had almost no parts in common with the production examples. Secondly,what chance is there of ever displaying the Yeovilton Concorde on Science Museum property?002 is surely stuck at the FAAM for life (unless they chop her up,God forbid)).IMHO,it would’ve been great to see a BA Concorde take up wasted indoor space at Wroughton.
As for the argument about whether multiple Concordes are worthy of preservation,I would say yes.The one thing that is often an uphill battle for us enthusiasts is to actually enthuse those around us and impress on the them the importance of preserving old aeroplanes in static condition.I know a number of people who show a passing interest in planes that fly,but if you suggest visiting a museum they often say they don’t much fancy going to have a look around a junkyard! Concorde’s reputation has followed her into retirement,and I think she could be a useful demonstration tool in terms of showing the general public the value of static exhibits and the challenges that face those trying to preserve them,whilst also boosting attendance figures to museums and getting people interested in planes in general.I know barely any ‘normal’ people who wouldn’t atleast show a passing interest in going to see a static Concorde. To sum up,I’d say the more Concordes that are preserved the better for the preservation scene as a whole because of the potential they have for bringing new life into the movement.
Btw,I’m a bit surprised to see Concorde being spelt without the E,or is this a veiled anti-Frenchie sentiment? 😉
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